2,000 police officers accused of sexual misconduct

In four years almost 2,000 police officers have been accused of sexual misconduct - but two-thirds faced no action.

Freedom of Information (FoI) requests to forces across the UK revealed that 1,980 officers, special constables and Police Community Support Officers were accused of sexual misconduct over the past four years.

The figures have prompted the National Police Chiefs Council (NPCC) to admit that there are a, "small number of people who are attracted to policing because of the power." The figures have also raised concerns about red flags being missed.

Thirty nine forces replied to the FoI requests. The responses to the questions show that between the financial year 2017-18 to 2020-21, there were 373 accusations of sexual assault, 95 of rape and 18 of child sex offences. Eight per cent of allegations led to a dismissal, however, nearly two-thirds of the allegations led to no action (where cases were either not upheld, deemed "no case to answer", discontinued or no further action was taken), and nearly one-third of officers accused had previously been reported for some kind of misconduct (not necessarily sexual).

The research reveals the scale of allegations of sexual misconduct by serving police officers.

Speaking in response to the analysis of the information by Channel 4's Dispatches programme, NPCC lead for violence and public protection, Louise Rolfe, said she was "really concerned". She added: "We have robust systems that weed out things that do lead to effective misconduct processes, people are dismissed for this behaviour, but we're not getting it right enough of the time. A small number are attracted to policing because of the power, the control and the opportunity it affords. Our vetting processes are designed to root those people out."

The disclosure follows the announcement by Priti Patel, the Home Secretary of an independent inquiry into "systematic failures" which allowed Wayne Couzens, Sarah Everard's killer, to be a police officer.

Armed officer Couzens used his police handcuffs and warrant card to "arrest" and kidnap the 33-year-old. In the wake of her murder, Baroness Casey of Blackstock will lead a separate review of culture and standards at the Metropolitan Police.